STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Adam Fantilli’s goals for international hockey go far beyond just the 2025 IIHF men’s World Championship.

Fantilli took a big step in his sophomore season as he became a 30-goal scorer for the first time in his NHL career and helped the Columbus Blue Jackets resurge from the bottom of the league to nearly making the playoffs. 

The 20-year-old seems to be just as good as advertised, and he now looks to take another step in his career by playing for Team Canada at the World Championship. 

Given the talent that comes out of Canada, making the 2026 Canadian Olympic team may be a challenge for Fantilli, but he has his sights set on playing at the Winter Games one day. He views the World Championship as a stepping stone for his overall future with the Canadian national team. 

“Every time I get a chance, I want to be able to represent my country,” Fantilli said Tuesday. “It's something I take a lot of pride in. With the Olympics coming up, obviously that’s something I want to be a part of, maybe not next year but five years from now. That’s been a goal of mine for a long time. I grew up watching guys play in these tournaments, so I want to be one of those guys at some point, too.” 

While the center anticipated enjoying this tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, there was one thing that surprised him – and everybody, for that matter.

Some of Canada’s best and most legendary players came to play at the World Championship, such as Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Marc-Andre Fleury.

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Being a part of this star-studded roster has been a worthwhile learning experience for Fantilli, who also gets to play with his hockey idol, MacKinnon.

“When I came over here, I wasn't expecting the roster that we have right now,” Fantilli said. “A lot of those guys are leaders on their team and leaders among the top point-getters in the NHL. It’s great to learn from those guys.

“Nate (MacKinnon) is a guy that I grew up wanting to be like and wanting to emulate. Sid (Crosby) is a player who every young Canadian loves, so it's really cool to have both those guys on the same team.”

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There is a new generation of young and hungry Canadian hockey players who are ready to take on the torch of representing Canada on an international stage. 

Fantilli is one of the players at the top of that list, and he’s joined in Sweden by a couple of others, including NHLers Macklin Celebrini and Kent Johnson. 

“We're all learning together. We're on the same team right now, which is great,” Fantilli said. “It’s made for a pretty good team on the ice, too, and it's awesome.”

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